Krafton Pushes Forensic Device Review as Subnautica 2 Legal Battle Escalates

The ongoing dispute between Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton and the ousted leadership of its subsidiary Unknown Worlds has taken another sharp turn. Krafton has officially asked a Delaware court to order a forensic examination of digital devices used by former studio executives, raising the stakes in what is quickly becoming one of the gaming industry’s most closely watched legal battles.

A Lawsuit Fueled by Subnautica 2’s Troubled Development

First revealed in April 2022, Subnautica 2 was initially planned for an early access release in 2025. However, in July 2025, Krafton announced a significant delay, stating the game was not ready to launch. Alongside the delay, Krafton removed several high-profile leaders from Unknown Worlds, including founder Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and technical director Max McGuire.

The trio swiftly filed a lawsuit against Krafton, alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination. Central to their complaint is a claim that Subnautica 2 had achieved all agreed-upon development targets and was ready for its early access release. They also argue Krafton’s move to oust them was financially motivated—specifically to avoid paying a $250 million performance bonus tied to the 2021 acquisition of Unknown Worlds.

Krafton Alleges Data Theft – “Blueprint” Files for Subnautica 2

Krafton has countered with accusations of its own. In court filings from September 2025, the company alleged that the former leadership team downloaded a massive cache of company files just weeks before their removal. These files reportedly included hundreds of thousands of assets, ranging from development documents to Autodesk Maya 3D models, effectively serving as a “blueprint” for Subnautica 2.

According to testimony from Kevin Negangard, managing director at forensic consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal, the files were allegedly copied in June and July 2025, right before Krafton terminated the executives.

The Push for Forensic Device Examination

Krafton is now seeking court approval for a forensic review of devices belonging to the former executives, arguing such an investigation is essential to proving its claims. A similar request was denied earlier in September, with the judge ruling the motion “too invasive” for the case’s current stage.

Interestingly, Cleveland, Gill, and McGuire have not denied downloading the files. However, their legal team maintains that accessing and duplicating these resources was part of their job responsibilities, and that Krafton only began framing these actions as misconduct after firing them. They insist the files have no bearing on the original termination decision—the central issue of the lawsuit.

A Countersuit Complicates the Case

Adding another layer to the dispute, Unknown Worlds itself filed a lawsuit in late August 2025 against its former leaders, effectively backing Krafton’s earlier accusations. The countersuit alleges that Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill abandoned their professional duties, further fueling tensions between the two parties.

Subnautica 2’s Uncertain Future

Amid the legal chaos, the highly anticipated underwater survival crafting sequel remains in limbo. Following the July 2025 delay, Subnautica 2 is now targeting a 2026 launch window. With no specific release date confirmed, industry analysts believe a late 2026 debut is more realistic than an early-year release.

For fans, the lawsuit creates uncertainty around one of the most popular survival franchises in gaming. For Krafton and Unknown Worlds, however, the outcome could have massive financial implications, reshaping both the studio’s future and Subnautica 2’s development path.